Lava Lake (Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lava Lake |
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View east across the lake
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 Lava Lake
Location in Oregon
Lava Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Deschutes County, Oregon |
| Coordinates | 43°55′13″N 121°46′22″W / 43.92028°N 121.77278°W |
| Type | Volcanogenic, oligotrophic |
| Primary inflows | seeps and springs |
| Primary outflows | none usually but some to Little Lava Lake during high water |
| Catchment area | 8 square miles (21 km2) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 368 acres (149 ha) |
| Average depth | 20 feet (6.1 m) |
| Max. depth | 34 feet (10 m) |
| Water volume | 7,200 acre-feet (8,900,000 m3) |
| Residence time | 1.3 years |
| Shore length1 | 3.3 miles (5.3 km) |
| Surface elevation | 4,740 feet (1,440 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Lava Lake is a cool lake located in the Cascade Range mountains in Oregon, USA. It's about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of a city called Bend. Lava Lake is right next to Little Lava Lake. They are separated by old, hardened lava flows. The lake sits high up, at 4,740 feet (1,440 m) above sea level, inside the beautiful Deschutes National Forest. It covers an area of 368 acres (149 ha) and is usually about 20 feet (6.1 m) deep.
Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake are special because they are "volcanogenic" lakes. This means they were formed by volcanoes! Long ago, lava flows from Mount Bachelor changed how water drained in the area. This created the lakes. You can still see solidified lava flows along the shores of both lakes. Also, the volcanic peaks Broken Top and South Sister are visible to the north.
Fun Things to Do at Lava Lake
Lava Lake is a great spot for outdoor fun. You can enjoy fishing, camping, and hiking here.
Fishing at the Lake
The lake is home to different kinds of fish. You can find rainbow trout that can grow up to 24 inches (61 cm) long. There are also brook trout that sometimes reach 19 inches (48 cm). These fish are fun to catch!
Camping and Facilities
There are places to stay near the lake. The United States Forest Service has a campground. There is also a private resort if you prefer. Little Lava Lake also has campsites nearby. For visitors, there are parking areas and two boat ramps. You can also find a fish cleaning station.
Hiking Trails
If you love to hike, there are trails around the lake. One trail follows the east side of Lava Lake. Another trail goes south into the Three Sisters Wilderness. This trail continues on to Williamson Mountain. It's a great way to explore the nature around the lake.
